Bucs injury update: 'Cautious optimism' about Vernon Hargeaves III

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers needed Vernon Hargreaves III to step up in the absence of veteran Brent Grimes for Sunday’s regular season opener against the New Orleans Saints, and he did just that, making some key plays to help secure an upset win on the road.

Unfortunately, VH3 also left the game late with a shoulder injury, and didn’t return.

The first-round pick out of Florida is scheduled to have an MRI on Monday, and the team is hoping for good news, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport:

#Bucs CB Vernon Hargreaves, who missed the end of the game with a shoulder injury, is getting an MRI today, source said. But there is cautious optimism about his status.

With Grimes’ status already up in the air, losing Hargreaves for any stretch of time would leave the Bucs leaning heavily on a pair of rookie second-rounders in M.J. Stewart and Carlton Davis, as well as young depth players like Ryan Smith and Javien Elliott.